HEMI-engined Kurtis and Audi RS Q3 Concept ...

Frank Kurtis was one of the great American racing car designers of the 1940s and 1950s. Although he is best known for his Midgets and Roadsters that dominated at Indy, he also produced a range of hugely successful sport racers. The most highly regarded of these is the 500S, introduced in 1953. This was a straightforward design, clothed with a very recognisable cycle-fender body and able to accept a wide range of engines. Available as a complete car or in kit form, it was capable of challenging far more exotic machinery when in the right hands. Due to being affordable and readily available, the Kurtis also became the car of choice for aspiring gentleman racers. Our feature car is a great example of that; it was ordered as a complete car from Kurtis with a DeSoto engine by famous actor Keenan Wynn. Unfortunately the car was crashed soon after and during the repairs in the Kurtis workshop, a mighty Chrysler HEMI engine was fitted. Following a recent restoration, the big V8 was rated at a staggering 450 bhp. This rare factory built Kurtis 500S is seen in action during two Goodwood Revivals and the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
At the upcoming Auto China show in Beijing, this RS Q3 Concept will be one of the stars on the Audi stand. Purely a show car for now, it combines the compact SUV Q3 body with the TFSI five cylinder engine that is also used in the recently updated TT RS ultra model. This turbocharged unit produces 355 bhp, which is enough to allow the small machine to accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and gives it a top speed of 265 km/h. To match the heavily improved powertrain, the RS Q3 also boasts an aggressive body-kit and chunky wheels complete with carbon-ceramic brake discs.

Enjoy the links:

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5170/Audi-RS-Q3-Concept.html"]2012 Audi RS Q3 Concept - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5169/Delage-D8-SS-Chapron-Cabriolet.html"]1932 Delage D8 SS Chapron Cabriolet - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5151/Kurtis-500S-Chrysler.html"]1953 - 1955 Kurtis 500S Chrysler - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

That Audi is stupid. Why would you want an SUV that looks like a sports car?

[quote=Mugen_Ferio;983113]That Audi is stupid. Why would you want an SUV that looks like a sports car?[/quote]

because the X6 proved that there are enough stupid people to buy such a contraption.

[quote=henk4;983114]because the X6 proved that there are enough stupid people to buy such a contraption.[/quote]

You have a point there

[quote=Mugen_Ferio;983113]That Audi is stupid. Why would you want an SUV that looks like a sports car?[/quote]

You go tell that to Range Rover with the Evoque.

Style sells, it's that simple. Enthusiasts may hate the car though, but companies care for their bottom line first.

The Q3 doesn't look too terrible- reminds me of an A3 Allroad.

The Kurtis looks like a very hungry Caterham. It's a very funny face.

[quote=NSXType-R;983121]You go tell that to Range Rover with the Evoque.

Style sells, it's that simple. Enthusiasts may hate the car though, but companies care for their bottom line first.

The Q3 doesn't look too terrible- reminds me of an A3 Allroad.

The Kurtis looks like a very hungry Caterham. It's a very funny face.[/quote]

I didnt say it looks terrible. It looks too sports car. Going back to the point that henk4 made about the X6 - isit an SUV or a sports car?

[quote=Mugen_Ferio;983146]I didnt say it looks terrible. It looks too sports car. Going back to the point that henk4 made about the X6 - isit an SUV or a sports car?[/quote]

Neither, it's a crossover I think.